The Nigerian Military ruler, General Sani Abacha has died at the age of 54. Reports say he died of a heart attack in the early hours of this morning and has already been buried in accordance with Moslem tradition. Government leaders have convened an emergency meeting in Abuja, the capital to consider who to succeed him and reports say an announcement will be made on that issue at exactly 2200hrs GMT.

Abacha, 54, seized power in Nigeria in 1993 after cancelling presidential elections and suspending the constitution. Although the army and police usually maintain a high profile on the streets of Nigeria, the extraordinary move of sealing the head of state's residence triggered rumours in Abuja.

Abacha was supposed to have been at a function in Lagos last week, but did not show up for it. He has made few public appearances since he greeted Pope John Paul II in March. Although he had pledged to hand the government over to an elected civilian administration, in April he became the only nominated candidate for the presidency.

Opposition to Abacha's rule has been mounting in recent months with the prospect that his junta might not honour its pledge to stand down. Reports from the BBC, monitored in Accra this evening say the mood in Nigeria is generally lively as people attempt to get near any available radio set for information.